AIR EP - Key Persons
Alanna Barns, Finance Officer Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting Chartered Accountant living on a cereal cropping farming property North of Wudinna with husband and 2 children. More than 20 years working as an accountant both in Adelaide and currently Port Lincoln. Various treasurer/finance positions held for local sporting, education, and community organisations. Contact Alanna at finance@airep.com.au
Amy Wright, Sustainable Agricultural Facilitator Bachelor of Agriculture With her home base in Kimba, Amy has a passion for agriculture with experience working as an Agronomist on the upper Eyre Peninsula, and brings with her a great scope of knowledge. Her role as Sustainable Agricultural Facilitator allows her to work with and support a range of agricultural activities across the EP. Allowing a constant flow of up to date information to help farmers and industry adopt sustainable practices. The SAF role also performs services that support Regional Capacity Services and other climate-smart, sustainable agriculture related project services. The SAF shares similarities with the recently completed RALF (Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator) which wrapped up in 2023. Through the EP Landscape Board, AIR EP is hosting the position from 2024-2028. Contact Amy at amy.wright@airep.com.au
A passionate grain producer at Lock, South Australia, Andrew runs a 7,000 hectare cropping and sheep farm with his family at Lock on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula. Their 6,000 hectare cropping regime includes growing wheat, barley, canola, and lentils. The livestock enterprise is a self-replacing merino flock with 600 ewes and following stock.
Andrew has extensive experience on various Boards and is a past Australian Farmer of the Year.
Job Titles:
- Chairman ( October 2022 - Present )
Bill is a farmer and manager of Ag Consulting Co, a South Australian based agricultural consulting business established in 1996. The company provides agronomic, farm business management advice and facilitation services to farm businesses across SA and Australia and manages and conducts research and communication projects to growers and industry on a range of agronomic and farm management issues.
With his wife Jeanette and son Will, he grows lentils, chickpeas, beans, cereals and canola, and runs sheep on his properties at Butler, Tooligie Hill on Eyre Peninsula and Undalya in the mid north of SA. He is passionate about the grains industry and enjoys the complexity and challenges of understanding and managing farming systems across Australia.
Bryan has farmed in two diverse locations in 40 years which has fostered his passion for agriculture. He farmed for 25 years at Laura in the Mid North of SA and now farms at Nundroo on the far West Coast. Bryan's current cropping program is 4000 hectares of wheat, barley and canola. He also runs 1500 Dorper ewes.
Dan farms at Cockaleechie on Lower EP with his wife Lora, growing wheat, canola, lentils and barley. He is a long term user of precision ag technology to help make better decisions on highly variable soil. Dan currently chairs the AIR EP Medium Rainfall RD&E Committee, and was previously involved in LEADA for many years.
Fourth generation grains, sheep and wool producer between Wudinna and Yaninee on upper Eyre Peninsula.
Graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Ag in 1992; worked as an Agronomist on EP for 8 years.
Our farming business is a family operation involving my parents, wife and our 4 children with some of that 5 th generation now transitioning into the family business.
Plenty of community involvement with a brief stint in local government, but many years volunteering with local sporting clubs and farming groups including 6 years as an EPARF board member.
John is an Adelaide University Agricultural Science graduate who farms with his brother in the Tumby Bay hills.
John is a past LEADA President who joined the committee because he has a passion for agriculture and sees the importance of an organisation such as LEADA to be successful.
Involved with agriculture for 38 years, Ken has a strong desire to see research and development tailored/adapted/developed for the benefit of growers and agriculture in general on the Eyre Peninsula.
Mark has spent more than 30 years progressing South Australia's grains industry. He runs a project management business based in Port Lincoln that operates throughout the Eyre Peninsula and beyond.
Together with husband Brad, Mary owns a first-generation wool and lamb enterprise at Elliston. Focus is placed on production traits which will allow the business to meet it's financial, environmental and welfare objectives. Mary also works full-time in livestock production pharmaceuticals with a special interest in minimising disease and increasing production.
Mary is skilled in grazing systems, animal nutrition and animal health across intensive and extensive sheep and cattle production systems in South Australia. She has worked in aspects of livestock supply chain from conception to consumption. She pushes to adopt novel technology, if economically beneficial, strives to improve animal welfare. She brings a balanced perspective of practical experience, technical knowledge and business acumen.
Naomi Scholz, Executive Officer Diploma of Agribusiness Management, Diploma of Project Management An advocate for small rural communities, elected member for Wudinna District Council and position holder on several not-for-profit community and sporting groups. Past experience includes more than 10 years agricultural RD&E project management with SARDI based at Minnipa Agricultural Centre, including coordination of several GRDC major projects including the Dryland Legume Pasture Systems project and the Stubble Initiative, and delivery of programs such as Grain & Graze and the Water Use Initiative on Eyre Peninsula. Prior to this, 10 years with Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula as Landcare Officer and project manager. Contact Naomi at eo@airep.com.au
Rebekah has been employed by AIR EP as Project Officer, commencing in March 2023 after completing the AIR EP SAGIT Funded Internship in applied grains research in 2022 at EPAG Research in Port Lincoln.
Rebekah comes from a family farm at Ungarra and graduated from a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at University of Adelaide in 2021. She is interested in all aspects of grains agriculture and rural communities, especially on the Eyre Peninsula.
We are pleased to announce that Rowena Norris has been appointed to the new position of Operations Manager. Born and raised on a mixed farm near Cowell, Rowena has spent more than 20 years in the corporate agriculture and horticulture sectors in Adelaide and Mildura. She has performed at various management levels in client relationship and industry development roles and is passionate about supporting primary producers in adopting new practices and technology.
In addition to her corporate experience, Rowena farms with her father, partner and two young children at Miltalie, near Cowell.